Energy Drain vs. Damage Reduction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Energy Drain vs. Damage Reduction [Archive] - Wizards Community

Post/Author/DateTime Post
LordFlatulence
09-12-07, 09:00 AM I apologise if this question is succintly answered somewhere in the various books or online resources available, but as yet I have found no answer. If a creature with energy drain (let's say a wight) attacks a creature with damage reduction, hits, and then fails to overcome damage reduction, does it still deal a negative level?

Thanks in advance! :D
Nephlite
09-12-07, 09:22 AM I apologise if this question is succintly answered somewhere in the various books or online resources available, but as yet I have found no answer. If a creature with energy drain (let's say a wight) attacks a creature with damage reduction, hits, and then fails to overcome damage reduction, does it still deal a negative level?

Thanks in advance! :D

Consider Energy Drain either:
a. energy damage
b. result from a succesful attack like poison

If Negative levels are energy damage than they bypass DR.

If they must deal damage like poison than DR blocks it from working.

I forget what rules say, but it must be one of these.
zeratulcraft
09-12-07, 09:26 AM Your B there is faulty, ever hear of contact poisons? They run on just touching the intended victim.
Naderion
09-12-07, 09:44 AM When there is no damage, it may be meele touch attack. The creatures description will usually say if a touch attack is sufficient. If it says not, than probaby not.
NobodyRemembersThis
09-12-07, 01:42 PM Damage dealt on an attack that is not listed as physical damage always bypasses Damage Reduction. While a wight's physical attack could not do any physical damage, it would still inflict the negative levels.
LordFlatulence
09-14-07, 04:50 AM I was thinking of playing a wight dual-wielding necrotic focus weapons (from Libris Mortis, transmits your energy drain via the weapon). If I came across a creature with damage reduction I could not pass, such as a powerful demon that can only be bypassed with good and cold iron, then I would be in trouble. The DM seems to assume that if I can't bypass damage reduction, I can't deal negative levels. I was just wondering if there was any official ruling or explanation in regards to this.
NobodyRemembersThis
09-14-07, 11:19 AM Most energy drain attacks require a successful melee attack roll... It does not say you have to deal damage, just that the attack roll hits.Also, Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drains. Your technique is 100% valid. Dirty, but valid. :smirk:
LordFlatulence
09-16-07, 03:21 AM Your technique is 100% valid. Dirty, but valid. :smirk:

You'd better believe it.

Thanks for the SRD reference, the DM was constantly quoting the line before it, about extra effects no coming through if the damage doesn't, but it seems energy drain is exempt from that. Thanks.
NobodyRemembersThis
09-16-07, 03:39 AM You'd better believe it.

Thanks for the SRD reference, the DM was constantly quoting the line before it, about extra effects no coming through if the damage doesn't, but it seems energy drain is exempt from that. Thanks.You are most welcome! :ayyyy!:

Post/Author/DateTime	Post
LordFlatulence 09-12-07, 09:00 AM	I apologise if this question is succintly answered somewhere in the various books or online resources available, but as yet I have found no answer. If a creature with energy drain (let's say a wight) attacks a creature with damage reduction, hits, and then fails to overcome damage reduction, does it still deal a negative level? Thanks in advance! :D
Nephlite 09-12-07, 09:22 AM	I apologise if this question is succintly answered somewhere in the various books or online resources available, but as yet I have found no answer. If a creature with energy drain (let's say a wight) attacks a creature with damage reduction, hits, and then fails to overcome damage reduction, does it still deal a negative level? Thanks in advance! :D Consider Energy Drain either: a. energy damage b. result from a succesful attack like poison If Negative levels are energy damage than they bypass DR. If they must deal damage like poison than DR blocks it from working. I forget what rules say, but it must be one of these.
zeratulcraft 09-12-07, 09:26 AM	Your B there is faulty, ever hear of contact poisons? They run on just touching the intended victim.
Naderion 09-12-07, 09:44 AM	When there is no damage, it may be meele touch attack. The creatures description will usually say if a touch attack is sufficient. If it says not, than probaby not.
NobodyRemembersThis 09-12-07, 01:42 PM	Damage dealt on an attack that is not listed as physical damage always bypasses Damage Reduction. While a wight's physical attack could not do any physical damage, it would still inflict the negative levels.
LordFlatulence 09-14-07, 04:50 AM	I was thinking of playing a wight dual-wielding necrotic focus weapons (from Libris Mortis, transmits your energy drain via the weapon). If I came across a creature with damage reduction I could not pass, such as a powerful demon that can only be bypassed with good and cold iron, then I would be in trouble. The DM seems to assume that if I can't bypass damage reduction, I can't deal negative levels. I was just wondering if there was any official ruling or explanation in regards to this.
NobodyRemembersThis 09-14-07, 11:19 AM	Most energy drain attacks require a successful melee attack roll... It does not say you have to deal damage, just that the attack roll hits.Also, Damage reduction does not negate touch attacks, energy damage dealt along with an attack, or energy drains. Your technique is 100% valid. Dirty, but valid. :smirk:
LordFlatulence 09-16-07, 03:21 AM	Your technique is 100% valid. Dirty, but valid. :smirk: You'd better believe it. Thanks for the SRD reference, the DM was constantly quoting the line before it, about extra effects no coming through if the damage doesn't, but it seems energy drain is exempt from that. Thanks.
NobodyRemembersThis 09-16-07, 03:39 AM	You'd better believe it. Thanks for the SRD reference, the DM was constantly quoting the line before it, about extra effects no coming through if the damage doesn't, but it seems energy drain is exempt from that. Thanks.You are most welcome! :ayyyy!: